With autumn well and truly in swing, there is nothing better than curling up by the fire with a nice glass of red wine and a little music in the background. If you want to be transported to a sunnier climate, why not indulge in a glass of Italian wine for a taste of le dolce vita.
A true Italian classic from 2009, this wine is from the famous Chianti region of Tuscany. Do not be put off with it being Hannibal Lector’s favorite tipple, as this wine will hit all your senses and transport you to the sunshine hills of Italy. A deep red wine, with notes of cherries, plums and spices makes it a great accompaniment to meat dishes or rich ragu sauces. You will pay around $28 for this wine so it is definitely one that you can use for a special dinner with friends.
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For a more affordable Chianti Classico, look no further than this intense yet smooth red for a true taste of Tuscany. If you are sitting at home dreaming of a holiday in the Tuscan hills, pop on a pan of pasta, open a bottle of Borgo Scopeto and be transported to Italy in an instant. This wine has strong fruity notes, with strong hints of strawberry coming through to tickle those taste buds. Com-ing in at under $17 this wine will be a very welcome addition to your pantry.
Arguably the best Italian red, Barolo is from the Piedmont area of Italy and certainly packs a punch. Bursting with flavors of licorice and tobacco, this bold red is a great match with red meats and game. Made from the Nebbiolo grape, Barolo holds DOCG (controlled destination of origin) status as it is popular with wine fans worldwide. This wine is on the higher end of the scale when it comes to pricing but is well worth the investment for special occasions.
If you are looking for an everyday Italian wine then look no further than a Valpolicella. Made from three grape varieties; Corvina Veronese, Rondinella, and Molinara in the Veneto area of Italy, this wine is smooth and supple. Tannins are soft in this wine, so the red currant and almond notes to the wine will not overpower your food. As the wine is not too overpowering and is reasonably cheap compared to other wines, you can easily drink a bottle with pasta and Italian meats or on its own as a drinking wine.
Another medium bodied wine that is easy to drink and goes with most food is Montepulciano. The Rosso Montepulciano is excellent value for money from this family ran estate. Made from Sangio-vese grapes, it has strong notes of cherry and plums with a smoky undertone, this will certainly awaken your tastebuds without being too overwhelming. Whilst this is not the best Italian wine you will ever taste it is on the more affordable side of a Montepulciano and is great for everyday drink-ing.
Paolo e Noemia d’Amico Notturno dei Calanchi 2009
Pinot Noir is another favorite grape variety that has a light and supple finish. Hailing from Burgundy but grown wonderfully in Italy, Pinot Noir (or Pinot Nero in Italian) is difficult to cultivate but has ex-cellent results, which is why it is so popular. Paolo and Noemia are a husband and wife team who have taken their passion for winemaking and followed their dreams to make really good wine. At around $60 a bottle, this wine is not cheap but the price reflects the TLC that the family have taken to develop this delicate grape?
A very recent wine that lacks in age but does not miss out on flavor. Pinot Grigio is the first white wine on our list and is fresh, fragrant and fantastic. Due to its fruity and crisp nature, Pinot grigio is great with salads, light sauces and salads and, of course, drinking in the sunshine all on its own. A wine that is not too expensive and can happily sit in your wine chiller for a year or so, if you have willpower.
Another white grape variety is originally from Burgundy but has acclimatized well in Italy. Great for summer drinking, Sauvignon Blanc is filled with fruity flavors that will not overpower light meals. This particular bottle packs a pear and melon punch and will certainly wake up your taste buds on a warm summers day. A very reasonably priced wine that is great with chicken dishes, light curries or simply on its own as a drinking wine.
Italy’s equivalent to champagne is perfect for celebrations and special treats. Prosecco is just as decadent as champagne but with a lighter, less bitter finish. Pale in color with plenty of bubbles to put a smile on your face and feel like you are on the edge of a canal in Venice (if you close your eyes and think hard enough). This Prosecco is crisp to taste with fruity undertones and a floral notes coming through towards the end. A mid-range priced wine that will delight all.
A sweet dessert wine from Tuscany, Vin Santo is a great way to finish of your meal. This is a rich amber colored wine packed with floral notes and with fruity undertones of figs and apricots. This particular bottle is of a great vintage but you will find more reasonably priced bottles from other es-tates. Also known as holy wine, Vin Santo is thought to have originally been served at mass and we agree that it is certainly a gift from the gods.
If you are new to Italian wines, particularly Italian red wines, be careful not to splash out on expen-sive bottles of wine. You can buy a reasonable bottle of Italian wine for as little as $15, so you can experiment with a few varieties until you find the perfect bottle that you are happy to invest in. Cin cin!
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